Tube connection

Abstract

Tubular structure having at least two tubes ( 20, 20′ ) and a plug-in tube connection ( 10 ) which comprises a flange ( 1 ), wherein said flange ( 1 ) serves as an axial stop surface for terminal ends ( 21, 21′ ) of the two tubes ( 20, 20′ ). Each side of the flange ( 1 ) is equipped with at least one lug ( 3 ) in order to engage in a corresponding cutout ( 22 ) in the terminal end ( 21, 21′ ) of the respective tube ( 20, 20′ ), wherein the lugs ( 3 ) engaging in the cutouts ( 22 ) prevent the tubes ( 20, 20′ ) from twisting relative to one another. On each side of the flange ( 1 ) is provided a cylinder portion ( 5, 5′ ) which can be plugged into the inside of the respective tube ( 20, 20′ ). In addition, each cylinder portion ( 5 ) has an axial gap ( 7 ), resulting in flexible endpieces ( 9 A, 9 B) above and below the gap. The first flexible endpiece ( 9 A) has a radial bore ( 11 ) with a screw element ( 13 ) for tightly clamping the tube connection ( 10 ) in the tube ( 20, 20′ ).

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . Tubular structure with at least two tubes ( 20 ,  20 ′) and a pluggable tube connection ( 10 ), characterized in that the tube connection ( 10 ) is a single-piece element, which:
 is elongated and cylindrical, 
 comprises a middle section with a circumferential flange ( 1 ), wherein this flange ( 1 ) acts as an axial stop surface for the terminal ends ( 21 ,  21 ′), 
 in the area of the flange ( 1 ) on each side of the flange ( 1 ) it comprises at least a lug ( 3 ) in order to engage with a corresponding cutout ( 22 ) in the terminal end ( 21 ,  21 ′) of the respective tube ( 20 ,  20 ′), wherein the lugs ( 3 ) engaging in the cutouts ( 22 ) prevent a twisting of the tubes ( 20 ,  20 ′) relative to one another, 
 is provided on each side of the flange ( 1 ) with a cylinder portion ( 5 ,  5 ′), which in insertable into the inside of the respective tube ( 20 ,  20 ′), 
 each cylinder portion ( 5 ,  5 ′) comprises an axial gap ( 7 ), which extends from a face surface of the cylinder portions ( 5 ,  5 ′) in the direction of a middle section, wherein above and below the gap a first flexible endpiece ( 9 A) and a second flexible endpiece ( 9 B) result, 
 that the first flexible endpiece ( 9 A) comprises a radial bore ( 11 ) with a screw element ( 13 ) for clamping the tube connection ( 10 ) in the tube ( 20 ,  20 ′), wherein the screw element ( 13 ) is accessible through an opening ( 24 ) in the cylinder wall ( 26 ) of the tube ( 20 ,  20 ′). 
 
     
     
         12 . Tubular structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that the gaps ( 7 ) run parallel to the longitudinal cylinder axis of the cylinder portions ( 5 ,  5 ′). 
     
     
         13 . Tubular structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that
 the circumferential flange ( 1 ) has a first diameter (d 1 ),   the cylinder portions ( 5 ,  5 ′) have a second diameter (d 2 ),   the second diameter (d 1 ) is larger than the second diameter (d 2 ).   
     
     
         14 . Tubular structure according to claim  3 , characterized in that
 the first diameter (d 1 ) is approximately the outer diameter of one of the tubes ( 20 ,  20 ′),   the second diameter (d 2 ) is approximately the inner diameter of one of the tubes ( 20 ,  20 ′),   the difference between the first diameter (d 1 ) and the second diameter (d 2 ) is approximately equal with the thickness of the cylinder wall ( 26 ).   
     
     
         15 . Tubular structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that when it is screwed in, the screw element ( 13 ) bends the endpieces ( 9 A,  9 B) apart, and thereby the effective second diameter (d 2 ) is enlarged, in order to clamp the tube connection ( 10 ) in the tube ( 20 ,  20 ′). 
     
     
         16 . Tubular structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that the screw element ( 13 ) extends from the cylinder portion ( 5 ,  5 ′) through the opening ( 24 ) in the cylinder wall ( 24 ), in order to clamp the tube connection ( 10 ) in the tube ( 20 ,  20 ′). 
     
     
         17 . Tubular structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that the first flexible endpiece ( 9 A) comprises a groove ( 15 ) which receives a screw nut ( 17 ) in which the screw element ( 13 ) can be screwed in. 
     
     
         18 . Tubular structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that the second endpiece ( 9 B) comprises a ridge ( 19 ) which clamps in a corresponding dimple of the tube ( 20 ,  20 ′). 
     
     
         19 . Tubular structure according to claim  1 , characterized in that multiple tubes ( 20 ,  20 ′) are connected with tube connections ( 10 ), in order to build a self-supporting load carrying structure ( 30 ). 
     
     
         20 . Tent or scaffolding with at least one tubular structure according to claim  1 .